diff --git a/.xinitrc b/.xinitrc
index 92af545..7edb06b 100644
--- a/.xinitrc
+++ b/.xinitrc
@@ -35,6 +35,12 @@ fi
 # Remaps Capslock key to control.
 # (only works for x environment - I haven't needed it for non-x yet)
 setxkbmap -option ctrl:nocaps
+# sets default to german layout, with possibility to switch to us
+setxkbmap -layout de,us
+# allows switching layouts with alt+space
+setxkbmap -option grp:alt_shift_toggle
+# quit out of X with ctrl+alt+backspace
+setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp
 
 # Makes Capslock behave as escape - when ONLY capslock is pressed and released
 # this only works when we already substitute a ctrl for caps with the lines above,